Fifteen spring practices and nearly all of fall camp into his switch from safety to linebacker, junior Glenn Love is starting to learn that those six yards between the two positions might as well be the Pacific Ocean.

Love is embroiled in a heated battle with junior Sean Westgate for the starting linebacker spot opposite Akeem Ayers, and coach Rick Neuheisel still says the position is up for grabs.

“I guess it takes time – the reads, the fits, the gaps – just learning everywhere I’m supposed to be,” Love said. “Being a safety, you’re 10 yards back, and the gap is, well, get in where there’s a hole. Now, there are responsibilities – if I go up the wrong gap, it’s a big play, and if I don’t hold the responsibility, I’m taken out. It’s a very big difference.”

It’s much like his transition from Hamilton High in Chandler, Ariz., to Westwood.

“From high school to college, it’s more speed and getting to learn the players and the environment and everything around you,” Love said. “Now, going from safety to linebacker, it’s another story. It’s a difference in responsibility. Even though I might know the plays, they’re different for me.”

Love is beginning to use his biggest strength, though: his size and his strength. At 6-4, 220 pounds, Love towers over the 5-11 Westgate, though he has found that the size advantage isn’t always a good thing.

“I have long legs, so the coaches are trying to get me to shorten my stride in the box and when I shuffle – if you take too long, the running back will cut back on you,” Love said. “But being 6-4, I have these long arms, and that’s an advantage. I just have to use them a lot more than I’m doing now.”

Jefferson passes Clearinghouse

Freshman cornerback Anthony Jefferson, Scout.com‘s No. 15 cornerback in the country out of Cathedral High, was cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse and is eligible for the season.

“Honestly, just going through the process, I was trying not to think about it,” Jefferson said. “It was still in the back of my mind, but finding out from the coach, it is a big relief off my back and my family’s back, knowing I’ll be able to play for the year.”

Bruins nab one, could get another

Former UCLA target Brandon Willis, Scout.com‘s No. 21 defensive tackle in the 2010 class, has been granted his release from North Carolina, and appears headed to UCLA.

Though head coach Rick Neuheisel would not comment further than, ‘We’re recruiting him,” Willis told Rivals.com that he intends to enroll at UCLA in September.

“I visited a few other schools on the West Coast during the recruiting process, but UCLA was the only one I truly considered going to,” Willis told Rivals.com. “I fell in love with the place from the start when I was there. Coach (Rick)Neuheisel and (defensive line) coach (Todd) Howard are great coaches.”

In other recruiting news, 6-7, 305-pound offensive tackle Darryl Jackson has signed a grant-in-aid with UCLA after being denied admissions from Southern Methodist. Jackson plans on greyshirting and will enroll in January.

Bumps and bruises

Senior offensive guard Eddie Williams left Thursday’s practice with what Neuheisel called “concussion-like” symptoms. Senior Darius Savage moved into the first unit at right guard, and Neuheisel said Williams would not have to go into the post-concussion protocol unless the symptoms persist.

Savage, who started one game last season but played in all 13, missed spring ball after back surgery, but looks to be ready to contribute this year.

“Sav is ready to play; he’s down to 307 and he was at one point 350,” Neuheisel said. “He’s worked his tail off to get in as good shape he can. This is important to him. He’s a senior, and that’s what college football is all about.”

In other injury news, redshirt freshman linebacker Patrick Larimore (hamstring), freshman defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa (hip flexor) and sophomore F-back Morrell Presley (concussion) were at full-go after missing most of the week.

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